Electronic control apparatus

ABSTRACT

Based on a count value held by a transmission counter, an information multiplex apparatus forms multiplexed transmission data by selecting or dividing at least part of each of two or more information items, based on the respective sizes of the two or more information items, a counter period of the transmission counter, and a transmission margin degree.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/959,185, filed June. 30, 2020, which is a National Stage ofInternational Application No. PCT/JP2018/018120 filed May 10, 2018, theentire contents of each of which being herein incorporated by referencein their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an electronic control apparatus inwhich two or more information items having different reference periodsare multiplexed and transmitted.

BACKGROUND ART

In the following explanation, the number of communication lines or theamount of communication data is referred to as a “communication cost”;the fact that the number of communication lines or the amount ofcommunication data increases is described as that “the communicationcost becomes disadvantageous”; the fact that the number of communicationlines or the amount of communication data decreases is described as that“the communication cost becomes advantageous”.

As is well known, in the case where an information output apparatus foroutputting communication data (hereinafter, referred to simply asinformation) having information and a control apparatus for controllinga control subject based on information outputted from the informationoutput apparatus are not synchronized with each other, the timing whenthe information output apparatus outputs information and the timing whenthe control apparatus refers to the information transmitted from theinformation output apparatus are not synchronized with each other; thus,it is required to prevent a period difference between the period inwhich the information output apparatus transmits information and thecontrol period in the control apparatus. To date, there has been knownan electronic control apparatus in which in order to prevent theforegoing period difference, the information output apparatusperiodically transmits information in a period earlier than the timingwhen the control apparatus refers to information.

In general, there has been known an electronic control apparatus inwhich there is utilized a method of adding data (hereinafter, referredto simply as a transmission counter) that functions as a transmissioncounter to information to be periodically transmitted. The transmissioncounter to be added to information is configured as a counter that iscounted up by one each time periodic information transmission iscompleted. In the case where part of periodic information transmissionis lost, the control apparatus can detect the fact that part of theinformation transmission has been lost, based on discontinuity of thetransmission counter.

In the case where when the foregoing transmission counter is not addedto information, information to be transmitted is the same as previouslytransmitted information, completely the same information is transmitted;therefore, the control apparatus cannot determine whether theinformation output apparatus has not updated the informationintentionally or information the same as the immediately previousinformation has erroneously been transmitted. In contrast, in the casewhere when the foregoing transmission counter is added to information,information to be transmitted is the same as previously transmittedinformation, the control apparatus can confirm that the informationoutput apparatus has not updated the information intentionally, when thevalue of a transmission counter added to information previously receivedby the control apparatus and the value of a transmission counter addedto the information received at the present time are different from eachother. As described above, the transmission counter added to informationto be periodically transmitted has various applications and is utilizedin order to raise the reliability of periodic data transmission.

Here, there will be explained a communication method in which no timedivision multiplexing function is provided and only one signal line isprovided. FIG. 2 is an explanatory table representing a communicationsystem in which no time division multiplexing function is provided andonly one signal line is provided. In FIG. 2, for example, information Ais data of 40 [Byte]; information B is data of 12 [Byte]; information Cis data of 4 [Byte]; a transmission counter is data of 1 [Byte]. Theseinformation items A, B, and C and the transmission counter, astransmission data 202, are periodically transmitted every 1 [ms] from aninformation output apparatus to a control apparatus.

As described above, the transmission data 202 is configured with theinformation items A, B, and C and the transmission counter, and each ofthe transmission data items 202 has 57 [Byte]. In this situation,because even when the respective update periods of the information itemsA, B, and C are different from one another, the data of all theinformation items is transmitted each time, there has been a problemthat this transmission method is disadvantageous to the communicationcost.

In contrast, to date, there has been known an electronic controlapparatus utilizing a time division multiplexing communication system inwhich in order to solve the foregoing problem, in the case where thereexist two or more periods in each of which a control apparatus refers toinformation, communication lines are divided for each of the periods andthen information is periodically transmitted through each of thecommunication lines or the respective information items are multiplexedand each of the multiplexed information items is transmitted after beingprovided with selection-signal data indicating the kind of theinformation.

Here, the method for a typical time division multiplexing communicationsystem will be explained. In the case of a typical time divisionmultiplexing communication system, an information output apparatus,which is a transmitter, divides each of input streams into two or moregroups, each of which includes several bytes, and then alternatelyarranges and transmits those divided groups; a control apparatus, whichis a receiver, performs processing reverse to that in the informationoutput apparatus so as to reconfigure each of the streams.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram representing a time divisionmultiplexing communication system. In FIG. 7, information A 102,information B 103, information C 104, and a selection signal areprovided, as inputs, to an information multiplex apparatus 106 providedin an information output apparatus. Based on the selection signal, theinformation multiplex apparatus 106 selects part of or all of theinputted information items A 102, B 103, and C 104 and then outputs theselected information items, as transmission data 200. In this case,because a control apparatus, which is a receiver, needs to recognize theinformation items included in the transmission data 200 transmitted fromthe information multiplex apparatus 106, the information multiplexapparatus 106 and the control apparatus need to share information of theselection signal.

A conventional apparatus disclosed in PLT 1 is configured in such a wayas to utilize the foregoing time division multiplexing communicationsystem, in such a way as to divide a single selection signal and two ormore information data items into at least two data items, in such a wayas to add error detection information to each of the divided date items,and in such a way as to transmit the divided data, as a unit, to thecontrol apparatus.

A conventional apparatus disclosed in PLT 2 is configured in such a waythat in order to correct a synchronization difference between aninformation output apparatus and a control apparatus, the informationoutput apparatus outputs information with time information and thecontrol apparatus corrects a calculation period in which based on thetime information, information is calculated.

PRIOR ART REFERENCE Patent Document

[PLT 1] Japanese Patent No. 5738445

[PLT 2] JP 2017-33069A

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

In the case where respective processing intervals for information itemsare different, an information output apparatus, which is an informationtransmitter, needs to periodically transmit each of the informationitems to a control apparatus within the time of a required interval.Meanwhile, in the case where there exist two or more periods forreferring to transmitted information, the control apparatus, which is aninformation receiver, needs to separate communication lines for therespective periods; therefore, the number of communication linesincreases in accordance with the kinds of the periods for referring theinformation.

However, because the number of communication lines through which amicrocomputer can be utilized is limited, the information outputapparatus cannot transmit periods of respective kinds, the number ofwhich exceeds the number of communication lines on which a microcomputercan be utilized. In that case, it is required to consider multiplexingfor transmitting information having a short request interval andinformation having a long request interval on one and the samecommunication bus; thus, it is required that there is adopted atransmission method in which a communication band and a CPU (CentralProcessing Unit) for information processing can efficiently be utilizedand in which information transmission can securely be performed within atime required by the control apparatus.

In this case, as described above, a time division multiplexingcommunication system is widely known; an information output apparatusdivides each of input streams into two or more groups, each of whichincludes several-byte information, and then alternately arranges andtransmits those information items; a control apparatus, which is areceiver, performs processing reverse to that in the information outputapparatus so as to reconfigure each of the divided streams. The timedivision multiplexing communication system, in which as described above,one of two or more input information items is selected based on theforegoing selection signal and is outputted, as transmission data, fromthe information output apparatus, is a typical one. However, asdescribed above, the information output apparatus and the controlapparatus need to share the selection signal; in that case, there existsa problem that the information amount of the selection signal to beinputted increases.

The conventional apparatus disclosed in PLT 1 divides a single selectionsignal and two or more information data items into at least two dataitems and transmits the divided data item, as a unit, to the controlapparatus; however, there has been a problem that as data for theselection signal increases, the communication cost becomesdisadvantageous.

The conventional apparatus disclosed in PLT 2 utilizes a calculationmethod in which a difference between the transmission period and thecalculation period is taken into consideration; however, no update ofinformation at a timing required by the control apparatus is assured.

In general, a microcomputer becomes more inexpensive, as the number ofcommunication lines decreases; in addition, a microcomputer becomes moreinexpensive, as the processing performance thereof is lower. Becausewhen the communication amount is smaller, the load on the microcomputerfor processing communication information decreases, an inexpensivemicrocomputer having a lower performance can be adopted; when the numberof communication lines is smaller, a more inexpensive microcomputer canbe adopted.

The present disclosure has been implemented in order to solve theforegoing problems; the objective thereof is to provide an electroniccontrol apparatus that makes the communication cost advantageous and isinexpensive.

Means for Solving the Problems

An electronic control apparatus disclosed in the present disclosureincludes

two or more information items to be updated at respective arbitrarytimings,

an information multiplex apparatus that multiplexes the two or moreinformation items,

a transmission circuit that periodically transmits multiplexedtransmission data outputted by the information multiplex apparatus, and

a transmission counter that counts the number of transmissions by thetransmission circuit; the electronic control apparatus is characterizedin that based on a count value held by the transmission counter, theinformation multiplex apparatus forms the multiplexed transmission databy selecting or dividing at least part of each of the two or moreinformation items, based on the respective sizes of the two or moreinformation items, a counter period of the transmission counter, and atransmission margin degree.

Advantage of the Invention

Based on a count value held by a transmission counter, an electroniccontrol apparatus disclosed in the present disclosure forms multiplexedtransmission data by selecting or dividing at least part of each of twoor more information items, based on the respective sizes of the two ormore information items, a counter period of the transmission counter,and a transmission margin degree; therefore, it is made possible toobtain an electronic control apparatus that makes the communication costadvantageous and is inexpensive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram representing the configuration ofan electronic control apparatus according to Embodiment 1;

FIG. 2 is an explanatory table representing a communication system inwhich no time division multiplexing function is provided and only onesignal line is provided;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory table representing an example of transmissiondata in the electronic control apparatus according to Embodiment 1;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory table representing transmission data to betransmitted with error detection information added thereto, in theelectronic control apparatus according to Embodiment 1;

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram representing the operation of theelectronic control apparatus according to Embodiment 1;

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram representing the operation of theelectronic control apparatus according to Embodiment 1;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram representing a time divisionmultiplexing communication system; and

FIG. 8 is a block diagram representing an example of a hardwareconfiguration of the electronic control apparatus according toEmbodiment 1.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiment 1

Hereinafter, an electronic control apparatus according to Embodiment 1will be explained with reference to the drawings. In each of thedrawings, the same or similar constituent elements will be explainedwith the same reference numerals assigned thereto. FIG. 1 is a blockdiagram representing the configuration of an electronic controlapparatus according to Embodiment 1. In FIG. 1, an electronic controlapparatus 300 is provided with an information output apparatus 100 thatoutputs information and a control apparatus 101 that controls a controlsubject, based on the information outputted from the information outputapparatus 100. The information output apparatus 100 and the controlapparatus 101 have respective separate microcomputers; each of theinformation output apparatus 100 and the control apparatus 101 isconfigured in such a way as to operate based on its own microcomputer;the information output apparatus 100 and the control apparatus 101operate in non-synchronization with each other.

Information Y provided in the information output apparatus 100 includesinformation A 102, information B 103, and information C 104. Theinformation A 102, the information B 103, and the information C 104 areupdated at respective different timings and are constantly inputted toan information multiplex apparatus 106. A transmission timer 108 foroutputting a transmission request signal to a transmission circuit 107is disposed in the information output apparatus 100. The transmissiontimer 108 outputs the transmission request signal to the transmissioncircuit 107 every specific time. At a timing when the transmissionrequest signal is inputted thereto from the transmission timer 108, thetransmission circuit 107 outputs transmission data 200, which isoutputted from the information multiplex apparatus 106, to the controlapparatus 101.

After transmitting the transmission data 200 from the informationmultiplex apparatus 106 to a reception circuit 109, the transmissioncircuit 107 inputs a transmission completion signal to a transmissioncounter 105. At a timing when the transmission completion signal isinputted thereto from the transmission circuit 107, the transmissioncounter 105 adds “1” to a count value that has been held therein. Ingeneral, as far as the count value held in the transmission counter 105is concerned, overflow is not taken into consideration. Based on a countvalue held in the transmission counter 105 and a first transmissioninterval information 115, the information multiplex apparatus 106selects one of or two or more of the information A 102, the informationB 103, and the information C 104 to be transmitted and outputs theselected information items to be transmitted, as the transmission data200, to the transmission circuit 107.

The control apparatus 101 is provided with

the reception circuit 109 that receives the transmission data 200transmitted from the transmission circuit 107,

an information division apparatus 110 that divides reception datareceived by the reception circuit 109 into one of or all of theinformation A 102, the information B 103, and the information C 104,based on a second transmission interval information 116,

an information A buffer 117 that holds the information A divided by theinformation division apparatus 110,

an information B buffer 118 that holds the information B divided by theinformation division apparatus 110, and

an information C buffer 119 that holds the information C divided by theinformation division apparatus 110.

The control apparatus 101 is further provided with

an information A processing apparatus 111 that performs predeterminedprocessing, based on the information A extracted from the information Abuffer 117,

an information B processing apparatus 112 that performs predeterminedprocessing, based on the information B extracted from the information Bbuffer 118, and

an information C processing apparatus 113 that performs predeterminedprocessing, based on the information C extracted from the information Cbuffer 119.

The information A processing apparatus 111, the information B processingapparatus 112, and the information C processing apparatus 113 perform inrespective different periods.

The information A, from the information division apparatus 110, that hasbeen held in the information A buffer 117 needs to be updated before theforegoing information A processing apparatus 111 performs predeterminedprocessing. Similarly, the information B, from the information divisionapparatus 110, that has been held in the information B buffer 118 needsto be updated before the information B processing apparatus 112 performspredetermined processing. Further similarly, the information C, from theinformation division apparatus 110, that has been held in theinformation C buffer 119 needs to be updated before the information Cprocessing apparatus 113 performs predetermined processing.

In general, in the case where respective data amounts required by theinformation A processing apparatus 111, the information B processingapparatus 112, and the information C processing apparatus 113 are large,large amount of data can be transmitted by raising the communicationspeed of the transmission circuit 107.

In the case where the period in which the information A processingapparatus 111 obtains the information A from the information A buffer117 is short, the output period of the transmission timer 108 thatoutputs the transmission request signal is shortened thereby shorteningthe update period of the information A in the information A buffer 117,so that it is made possible to cope with the period in which theinformation A processing apparatus 111 obtains the information A fromthe information A buffer 117.

In the case where the period in which the information B processingapparatus 112 obtains the information B from the information B buffer118 is short, the output period of the transmission timer 108 thatoutputs the transmission request signal is shortened thereby shorteningthe update period of the information B in the information B buffer 118,so that it is made possible to cope with the period in which theinformation B processing apparatus 112 obtains the information B fromthe information B buffer 118.

Furthermore, in the case where the period in which the information Cprocessing apparatus 113 obtains the information C from the informationC buffer 119 is short, the output period of the transmission timer 108that outputs the transmission request signal is shortened therebyshortening the update period of the information C in the information Cbuffer 119, so that it is made possible to cope with the period in whichthe information C processing apparatus 113 obtains the information Cfrom the information C buffer 119.

However, in the case where it is required to select a microcomputer inwhich the load to be imposed thereon is reduced so as to suppress thecost, it is required that the output period of the transmission timer108 that outputs the transmission request signal is set to be as long aspossible. In addition, the limitations of the communication speed of thetransmission circuit 107 depends on the performance of themicrocomputer, the electric characteristics of the communication path,and the like.

Here, an information processing method, which is generally known, willbe explained. For example, it is assumed that processing of theinformation A is performed in a period of 8 [ms], processing of theinformation B is performed in a period of 4 [ms], and processing of theinformation C is performed in a period of 2 [ms]. The respectiveinformation items to be processed by the information A processingapparatus 111, the information B processing apparatus 112, and theinformation C processing apparatus 113 are held in the informationoutput apparatus 100. In this case, it is required that the informationitems to be outputted from the information output apparatus 100, i.e.,the information A, the information B, and the information C are updatedwithin 8 [ms], 4 [ms], and 2 [ms], respectively; however, informationdata cannot be transmitted at a speed exceeding the communication-speedlimitation of the transmission circuit 107.

Moreover, it is required that before the information A processingapparatus 111, the information B processing apparatus 112, and theinformation C processing apparatus 113 obtain the respective informationitems, the transmission circuit 107 completes transmission of each ofthe respective information items. The reason for the above is that whenthe transmission circuit 107 cannot transmit the updated information A102, information B 103, information C 104 within the respectiveprocessing periods of the information A processing apparatus 111, theinformation B processing apparatus 112, and the information C processingapparatus 113, a period difference between the information outputapparatus 100 and the control apparatus 101 occurs and hence themicrocomputer in the control apparatus 101 cannot appropriately performcontrol calculation.

In this situation, for the purpose that the transmission circuit 107completes transmission of the respective information items before theinformation A processing apparatus 111, the information B processingapparatus 112, and the information C processing apparatus 113 obtainrespective information items, it is required that the output period ofthe transmission timer 108 that outputs the transmission request signalis shorter than the shortest processing period among the respectiveprocessing periods of the information A processing apparatus 111, theinformation B processing apparatus 112, and the information C processingapparatus 113. However, when the output period of the transmission timer108 that outputs the transmission request signal becomes shorter, theprocessing load on the microcomputer becomes larger. Accordingly, as theoutput period of the transmission timer 108, there is selected a periodobtained by considering “a minimally necessary margin ” for the shortestprocessing period among the respective processing periods of theinformation A processing apparatus 111, the information B processingapparatus 112, and the information C processing apparatus 113.

Because depending on the configuration of the system, the foregoing“minimally necessary margin” cannot unconditionally be defined. Forexample, the resolution of the transmission timer 108, variations in therespective clocks and the like provided in two or more devices thatoperate in non-synchronization with one another, the load on the CPU,which is allowable in the system, a processing delay in the CPU, and thelike may be the factors to be considered when the “minimally necessarymargin” is defined.

Next, the information multiplex apparatus 106 according to Embodiment 1will be explained in detail. There are preliminarily defined an outputperiod Ts of the transmission timer 108 that outputs the transmissionrequest signal to the transmission circuit 107, the respectiveprocessing periods in which the information A processing apparatus 111,the information B processing apparatus 112, and the information Cprocessing apparatus 113 perform processing items, the size ofinformation to be transmitted by the information output apparatus 100,and the margin degree for absorbing variations in the respective clocksand operation timings of the constituent elements in the informationoutput apparatus 100 and the control apparatus 101; based on thesepreliminarily defined information items, a counter period A, a counterperiod B, a counter period C, and the size of information to betransmitted through a single transmission are calculated thoughafter-mentioned calculation equations and are preliminarily provided tothe information multiplex apparatus 106.

Here, the counter period A denotes a period in which to the informationmultiplex apparatus 106, the transmission counter 105 outputs a timingsignal for outputting the information A; the counter period B denotes aperiod in which to the information multiplex apparatus 106, thetransmission counter 105 outputs a timing signal for outputting theinformation B; the counter period C denotes a period in which to theinformation multiplex apparatus 106, the transmission counter 105outputs a timing signal for outputting the information C.

The information multiplex apparatus 106 is configured in such a way asto output the information A when receiving, from the transmissioncounter 105, the timing signal for outputting the information A, in sucha way as to output the information B when receiving the timing signalfor outputting the information B, and in such a way as to output theinformation C when receiving the timing signal for outputting theinformation C.

Here, letting “processing period A”, “processing period B”, “processingperiod C”, and “ω” (0<ω<1) denote the processing period of theinformation A processing apparatus 111, the processing period of theinformation B processing apparatus 112, the processing period of theinformation C processing apparatus 113, and the margin degree forabsorbing variations in the respective clocks and operation timings ofthe constituent elements in the information output apparatus 100 and thecontrol apparatus 101, respectively, the counter period A, the counterperiod B, and the counter period C to be provided to the informationmultiplex apparatus 106 need to satisfy the following equations (1),(2), and (3), respectively. In this regard, however, “ROUNDDOWN” denotesrounding down the digits after the decimal point. The foregoing margindegree is a transmission margin degree.

1≤counter period A≤ROUNDDOWN [1/{Ts/(processing period A*ω)}]  (1)

1≤counter period B≤ROUNDDOWN [1/{Ts/(processing period B*ω)}]  (2)

1≤counter period C≤ROUNDDOWN [1/{Ts/(processing period C*ω)}]  (3)

The size m¹ of the information A to be transmitted through a singletransmission from the transmission circuit 107, the size n¹ of theinformation B to be transmitted through a single transmission from thetransmission circuit 107, and the size o¹ of the information C to betransmitted through a single transmission from the transmission circuit107 are preliminarily defined by the following equations (4), (5), and(6) and are provided to the information multiplex apparatus 106. In thisregard, however, “ROUNDUP” denotes rounding up the digit at the firstdecimal place. Here, m, n, and o denotes the full size of theinformation A, the full size of the information B, and the full size ofthe information C, respectively. Here, the unit [Byte] for each of thesizes is omitted.

m≥m ¹≥ROUNDUP[m/counter period A]  (4)

n≥n ¹≥ROUNDUP[n/counter period B]  (5)

o≥o ¹≥ROUNDUP[o/counter period C]  (6)

The counter period A, the counter period B, the counter period C, thesize m¹ of the information A to be transmitted through a singletransmission, the size n¹ of the information B to be transmitted througha single transmission, and the size o¹ of the information C to betransmitted through a single transmission are respective integers andneed to satisfy the respective conditions in the corresponding equations(1), (2), (3), (4), (5), and (6).

Here, it is assumed that cnt denotes the present count value held in thetransmission counter 105; based on the following equations (7), (8), and(9), the information multiplex apparatus 106 constantly calculatesinformation items corresponding to the present count value cntA for theinformation A, the present count value cntB for the information B, andthe present count value cntC for the information C. In this regard,however, mod denotes each of the “remainder” of a division[m/counterperiod A], the “remainder” of a division[n/counter period B], and the“remainder” of a division[o/counter period C].

cntA=cnt mod counter period A   (7)

cntB=cnt mod counter period B   (8)

cntC=cnt mod counter period C   (9)

In addition, it is assumed that the present count value cnt held in thetransmission counter 105 is increased by “1” for each transmission andreturns to “0” when reaching an overflow.

The information multiplex apparatus 106 produces data, based on theforegoing information. Specifically, from the transmission sizes m¹, n¹,and o¹ and the present count values cntA, cntB, and cntC of thetransmission counter 105, the information multiplex apparatus 106produces information A transmission data expressed by the equation (10)below, information B transmission data expressed by the equation (11)below, and information C transmission data expressed by the equation(12) below.

information A. transmission data=data items from information A[m ¹*cntA]to information A[m ¹*cntA+m¹−1]  (10)

information B transmission data=data items from information B[n¹*cntB]to information B[n¹*cntB+n ¹−1]  (11)

information C transmission data=data items from information C[o ¹*cntC]to information C[o ¹*cntC+o ¹−1]  (12)

The information multiplex apparatus 106 provides, to the transmissioncircuit 107, the foregoing information A transmission data, informationB transmission data, and information C transmission data, as thetransmission data 200. In response to the transmission request signalfrom the transmission timer 108, the transmission circuit 107 outputsthe transmission data 200 including the information A transmission data,the information B transmission data, and the information C transmissiondata. Each time the transmission circuit 107 outputs the transmissiondata 200, the transmission counter 105 receives the transmissioncompletion signal from the transmission circuit 107 and then increasesthe count value by “1”.

As represented in foregoing FIG. 3, because even when two or moreinformation items are divided, data of a fixed size can periodically betransmitted, assurance of communication band and assurance of acommunication timing and the like can readily be realized. Becauseinstead of a selection signal required by a conventional apparatus, acount value held in the transmission counter 105 is utilized, thetransmission data 200 has a data structure including only informationand a counter value and has no time information; therefore, thecommunication amount for transmitting the transmission data 200 is aminimally necessary amount and hence the communication cost can besuppressed. As described above, because instead of a selection signalrequired by a conventional apparatus, a count value held of thetransmission counter 105 is utilized, no extra selection control inputis required and hence Embodiment 1 is advantageous to the communicationcost.

The reception circuit 109 in the control apparatus 101 transfersreception data received from the transmission circuit 107 to theinformation division apparatus 110. Based on the second transmissioninterval information 116, the information division apparatus 110 dividesthe reception data and stores data of the information A, date of theinformation B, and data of the information C in the information A buffer117, the information B buffer 118, and the information C buffer 119,respectively.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram representing the operation of the electroniccontrol apparatus according to Embodiment 1. In FIG. 5, as described inFIG. 1, the information Y includes the information A 102, theinformation B 103, and the information C 104. The information A includesinformation A[0˜9], information A[10˜19], information A[20˜29], andinformation A[30˜39]. The information B includes information B[0˜5] andinformation B[6˜11]. The information C includes information C[0˜3]. Theinformation multiplex apparatus 106 is represented in such a way as toinclude the transmission data 200 in FIG. 1.

In this situation, for example, the conditions are given as follows:

the output period Ts of the transmission timer 108 is 1 [ms] (Ts=1[ms]),

the margin degree co for absorbing variations in the respective clocksand operation timings of the constituent elements in the informationoutput apparatus 100 and the control apparatus 101 is 0.5 (ω=0.5),

the full size m of the information A is 40 [Byte] (m=40 [Byte]),

the full size n of the information B is 12 [Byte] (n=12 [Byte]),

the full size o of the information C is 4 [Byte] (o=4 [Byte]),

the processing period A of the information A processing apparatus 111 is8 [ms] (processing period A=8 [ms]),

the processing period B of the information B processing apparatus 112 is4 [ms] (processing period B=4 [ms]), and

the processing period C of the information C processing apparatus 113 is2 [ms] (processing period C=2 [ms]).

The respective operational actions of the information multiplexapparatus 106 and the information division apparatus 110 under theforegoing conditions are represented in FIG. 5.

Under the foregoing conditions, the counter period A is 4 [ms] from theforegoing equation (1) (counter period A=4 [ms]); the counter period Bis 2 [ms] from the foregoing equation (2) (counter period B=2 [ms]); thecounter period C is 1 [ms] from the foregoing equation (3) (counterperiod C =1 [ms]).

Thus, from the foregoing equation (4), it is preliminarily defined thatthe size m¹ of the information A to be transmitted through a singletransmission from the transmission circuit 107 is 10 [Byte] (m¹=10);from the foregoing equation (5), it is preliminarily defined that thesize n¹ of the information B to be transmitted through a singletransmission from the transmission circuit 107 is 6 [Byte] (n¹=6); fromthe foregoing equation (6), it is preliminarily defined that the size o¹of the information C to be transmitted through a single transmissionfrom the transmission circuit 107 is 4 [Byte] (o¹=4).

The preliminarily defined size m¹ of the information A to be transmittedthrough a single transmission, the preliminarily defined size n¹ of theinformation B to be transmitted through a single transmission, and thepreliminarily defined size o¹ of the information C to be transmittedthrough a single transmission are preliminarily provided to the firsttransmission interval information 115 and are further provided to theinformation multiplex apparatus 106 from the first transmission intervalinformation 115.

Similarly, the preliminarily defined size m¹ of the information A to betransmitted through a single transmission, the preliminarily definedsize n¹ of the information B to be transmitted through a singletransmission, and the preliminarily defined size o¹ of the information Cto be transmitted through a single transmission are preliminarilyprovided to the second transmission interval information 116 and arefurther provided to the information division apparatus 110 from thesecond transmission interval information 116.

Here, the method of forming the information A 102 into the information Atransmission data 120 will be explained. Because as described above, thecounter period A=4, the count value cntA of the transmission counter 105repeats the numeral sequence [0, 1, 2, 3], as represented in FIG. 5. Inaccordance with these count values, data corresponding to the size m¹ tobe transmitted through a single transmission from the transmissioncircuit 107 is extracted from the data items in the information A 102.In such a manner as described above, the information A transmission data120 is formed with the data corresponding to the size m¹, extracted fromthe information A 102 for each of the count values “0”, “1”, “2”, and“3” of the transmission counter 105. The information A transmission data120 includes data items from information A[m¹*cntA] to informationA[m¹*cntA+m¹−1], as represented by the foregoing equation (10).

Next, the method of forming the information B 103 into the information Btransmission data 121 will be explained. Because as described above, thecounter period B=2, the count value cntB of the transmission counter 105repeats the numeral sequence [0, 1], as represented in FIG. 5. Inaccordance with these count values, data corresponding to the size n¹ tobe transmitted through a single transmission from the transmissioncircuit 107 is extracted from the data items in the information B 103.In such a manner as described above, the information B transmission data121 is formed with the data corresponding to the size n¹, extracted fromthe information B 103 for each of the count values “0” and “1” of thetransmission counter 105. The information B transmission data 121includes data items from information B [n¹*cntB] to informationB[n¹*cntB+n¹−1], as represented by the foregoing equation (11).

Furthermore, the method of forming the information C 104 into theinformation C transmission data 122 will be explained. Because asdescribed above, the counter period C=1, the count value cntC of thetransmission counter 105 repeats[0], as represented in FIG. 5. Inaccordance with the count value, data corresponding to the size to betransmitted through a single transmission from the transmission circuit107 is extracted from the data items in the information C 104. In such amanner as described above, the information C transmission data 122 isformed with the data corresponding to the size o¹, extracted from theinformation C 104 for each of the count values “0” of the transmissioncounter 105. The information C transmission data 122 includes data itemsfrom information C[o¹*cntC] to information C[o¹*cntC+o¹−1], asrepresented by the foregoing equation (12).

The transmission data 200 formed of the information A transmission data120 including the count value cntA of the transmission counter 105, theinformation B transmission data 121 including the count value cntB ofthe transmission counter 105, and the information C transmission data122 including the count value cntC of the transmission counter 105 istransmitted by way of the transmission circuit 107 to the receptioncircuit 109 in the control apparatus 101.

Based on the information from the second transmission intervalinformation 116, the information division apparatus 110 forms receptiondata 210 the same as the transmission data 200 received by the receptioncircuit 109. The reception data 210 is configured with information Areception data 124, information B reception data 125, information Creception data 126, and a received transmission counter 128. That is tosay, the information division apparatus 110 calculates the count valuescntA, cntB, and cntC from the received transmission counter 128 andarranges data items in the information A buffer 117, the information Bbuffer 118, and the information C buffer 119, based on the followingequations (13), (14), and (15).

data items from information A buffer[m¹*cntA] to information Abuffer[m¹*cntA+m ¹−1]=information A reception data   (13)

data items from information B buffer[n¹*cntB] to information Bbuffer[n¹*cntB+n ¹−1]=information B reception data   (14)

data items from information C buffer[o¹*cntC] to information Cbuffer[o¹*cntC+o ¹−1]=information C reception data   (15)

That is to say, because as described above, the counter period A is 4,data corresponding to the size m¹ is extracted from the information Areception data 124 in accordance with “0”, “1”, “2”, and “3”, as thecount values cntA of the received transmission counter 128; then, thedata is divided into the data items from information A [m¹*cntA] toinformation A [m¹*cntA+m¹−1], as represented by the foregoing equation(13). These respective data items obtained through the division of theinformation A reception data 124 are arranged in an information A buffer[0˜9], an information A buffer [10˜19], an information A buffer [20˜29],and information A buffer [30˜39].

Moreover, because as described above, the counter period B is 2, datacorresponding to the size n¹ is extracted from the information Breception data 125 in accordance with “0” and “1”, as the count valuescntB of the received transmission counter 128; then, the data is dividedinto the data items from information B[n¹*cntB] to information B[n¹*cntA+n¹−1], as represented by the foregoing equation (14). Theserespective data items obtained through the division of the information Breception data 125 are arranged in an information B buffer [0˜5] and aninformation B buffer [6˜11].

Furthermore, because as described above, the counter period C is 1, datacorresponding to the size o¹ is extracted from the information Creception data 126 in accordance with “0”, as the count value cntC ofthe received transmission counter 128; then, the data is divided intothe data items from information C[o¹*cntC] to informationC[o¹*cntA+n¹−1], as represented by the foregoing equation (15). Theserespective data items obtained through the division of the information Creception data 126 are arranged in an information C buffer[0˜5].

As described above, the margin degree ω for absorbing variations in therespective clocks and operation timings of the constituent elements inthe information output apparatus 100 and the control apparatus 101 isset to 0.5 (ω=0.5); therefore, while each of the information Aprocessing apparatus 111, the information B processing apparatus 112,and the information C processing apparatus 113 is periodicallyactivated, data is updated substantially twice. When the margin degreeco, as a coefficient, is increased, the respective update periods of theinformation A buffer 117, the information B buffer 118, and theinformation C buffer 119 becomes longer and hence the amount of singlecommunication decreases. In contrast, when the margin degree ω isdecreased, the respective update periods of the information A buffer117, the information B buffer 118, and the information C buffer 119becomes shorter and hence the amount of single communication increases.

In the case where the margin degree ω is “1”, the timing at which theinformation A processing apparatus 111, the information B processingapparatus 112, and the information C processing apparatus 113 areactivated is the same as the timing at which the information A buffer117, the information B buffer 118, and the information C buffer 119 areactivated; however, as described above, the information output apparatus100 and the control apparatus 101 are operated with respective differentclocks and hence the operational actions thereof are not insynchronization with each other. Thus, there is a probability that inthe case where the margin degree ω is “1”, the information A buffer 117,the information B buffer 118, and the information C buffer 119 have notbeen updated at the timing at which the information A processingapparatus 111, the information B processing apparatus 112, and theinformation C processing apparatus 113 obtain the information A buffer117, the information B buffer 118, and the information C buffer 119,respectively.

In the electronic control apparatus according to Embodiment 1, in orderto solve the defect at a time when the information output apparatus 100and the control apparatus 101 operate in non-synchronization with eachother, the margin degree ω is set, for example, in such a way as tosatisfy the equation (16) below.

ω (the minimum value of variation in the operational clock of theinformation output apparatus 100/the maximum value of variation in theoperational clock of the control apparatus 101)   (16)

Although in the above explanation, the margin degree co has been setbased on the variation in the clock, the optimal value of the margindegree co differs depending on the system; for example, in some cases,it is required to consider a processing delay in the CPU and the like.

In the electronic control apparatus according to Embodiment 1, describedabove, the data represented in FIG. 3 is finally transmitted. That is tosay, FIG. 3 is an explanatory table representing an example oftransmission data in the electronic control apparatus according toEmbodiment 1. It can be understood that although in the example inforegoing FIG. 2 that represents a communication system where nofunction for time division multiplexing communication is provided andonly a single signal line is provided, it is required to transmit data,as the transmission data 202, of 57 [Byte] per 1 [ms], the electroniccontrol apparatus according to Embodiment 1 makes it possible to formdata, as the transmission data 200, of 21 [Byte] per 1 [ms] and isadvantageous to the communication cost.

In this regard, however, it is required to confirm that in the end, theinformation amount of the transmission data 200 does not exceed thetransmission band between the transmission circuit 107 and the receptioncircuit 109. In this situation, provided the information amount of thetransmission data 200 exceeds the foregoing transmission band, there areperformed adjustment in which the size m¹ of the information A to betransmitted through a single transmission, the size n¹ of theinformation B to be transmitted through a single transmission, and thesize of the information C to be transmitted through a singletransmission are reduced within the conditions in the foregoingequations (10), (11), and (12), respectively, or in which the counterperiod A, the counter period B, and the counter period C are prolonged,so that the information amount of the transmission data 200 for a singletransmission can be adjusted not to exceed the communication band.

As described above, in the electronic control apparatus according toEmbodiment 1, the output period Ts of the transmission timer 108 and thecommunication speed of the transmission circuit 107 can be set whileconsidering the information amount (data size), the counter period A,the counter period B, the counter period C, and the foregoing margindegree co, as a transmission margin degree.

Provided the information amount of the transmission data 200 does notexceed the foregoing transmission band, the margin degree ω is lowered(decreased), the counter period is shortened (reduced), or the size m¹of the information A to be transmitted through a single transmission,the size n¹ of the information B to be transmitted through a singletransmission, and the size o¹ of the information C to be transmittedthrough a single transmission are increased (enlarged), so that theredundancy of the transmission data can be raised.

Here, the redundancy of data will be explained. In the case where thereexists information, among information items to be transmitted, that hashigh priority and in which erroneous loss should be suppressed, thefrequency of sending the high-priority data is raised so as to raise theredundancy, so that the solidity for the communication error can beraised. The redundancy of data will specifically be explained by use ofFIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a block diagram representing the operation of theelectronic control apparatus according to Embodiment 1 and represents anexample in which part of the information A 102 is made to haveredundancy.

In FIG. 6, in the case where in order to prevent even a singlecommunication error from providing an effect to the system, theinformation A[10˜19], for example, is made to have redundancy, the sizeof the information A 102 is defined as [m¹¹=m+4] because the size of theoriginal information A 102 is[m=40] and transmission informationcorresponding to 4 [Byte] increases; the counter period A increases by“1” and is defined as [counter period A=5]. As represented in FIG. 6, asthe count values cntA of the transmission counter 105, “1” and “2” areallocated to the information A[10˜19]. In other words, as represented inFIG. 6, when the count value cntA of the transmission counter 105 is anyone of “1” and “2”, the information A[10˜19] is redundantly transmittedto the information division apparatus 110.

When the count value cntA of the transmission counter 105 is “0”, theinformation A [0˜9] is transmitted to the information division apparatus110; when the count value cntA of the transmission counter 105 is “3”,the information A[20˜29] is transmitted to the information divisionapparatus 110; when the count value cntA of the transmission counter 105is “4”, the information A[30˜39] is transmitted to the informationdivision apparatus 110.

After calculating the count value cntA of the received transmissioncounter 128, the information division apparatus 110 arranges data itemsfrom [m¹*cntA] to [m¹*cntA+m¹−1], as the information A reception data inthe reception data 210, in the information A buffer 117, based on theforegoing equation (13).

That is to say, when the count value cntA of the received transmissioncounter 128 is “0”, the information A[0˜9] is disposed in theinformation A buffer[0˜9]; when the count value cntA is any one of “1”an “2”, the information A[10˜19] is disposed in the information Abuffer[10˜19]; when the count value cntA is “3”, the informationA[20˜29] is disposed in the information A buffer [20˜29]; when the countvalue cntA is “4”, the information A[30˜39] is disposed in theinformation A buffer [30˜39].

As described above, when redundant data is transmitted, thecommunication amount increases; however, it is only necessary to confirmthat in the end, the information amount does not exceed the transmissionband between the transmission circuit 107 and the reception circuit 109.In this situation, provided the amount of information to be transmittedexceeds the transmission band between the transmission circuit 107 andthe reception circuit 109, there are performed adjustment in which thesize m¹ of the information A to be transmitted through a singletransmission, the size n¹ of the information B to be transmitted througha single transmission, and the size o¹ of the information C to betransmitted through a single transmission are reduced within theconditions in the foregoing equations (10), (11), and (12),respectively, or in which the counter period A, the counter period B,and the counter period C are prolonged, so that the information amountof the transmission data 200 for a single transmission can be adjustednot to exceed the communication band.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory table representing transmission data to betransmitted with error detection information added thereto, in theelectronic control apparatus according to Embodiment 1. As representedin FIG. 4, in order to raise the reliability of each of data items,error detection information CRC, for example, is added to each ofinformation items and then the information item is transmitted, so thatwhile removing only the information item including an error, theinformation division apparatus 110 can form data for the information A,data for the information B, and data for the information C in theinformation A buffer 117, the information B buffer 118, and theinformation C buffer 119, respectively.

Because even when information including an error is removed from thetransmission data, respective previous data items are remaining in theinformation A buffer 117, the information B buffer 118, and theinformation C buffer 119, the information A processing apparatus 111,the information B processing apparatus 112, and the information Cprocessing apparatus 113 can continue to perform processing, by holdingand directly utilizing these previous data items; however, wheninformation items including an error continue one after another,processing advances while previous information items are not updated;therefore, when information items including an error are detected in aconsiderably successive manner, the control apparatus 101 may performsome sort of error processing.

As represented in FIG. 4, the size of information required for a singletransmission increases by 5 [Byte], as expressed by [m¹+n¹+o¹+5];however, it is only necessary to confirm that in the end, theinformation amount does not exceed the transmission band between thetransmission circuit 107 and the reception circuit 109. In thissituation, provided the size of information required for a singletransmission exceeds the transmission band between the transmissioncircuit 107 and the reception circuit 109, there are performedadjustment in which the size m¹ of the information A to be transmittedthrough a single transmission, the size n¹ of the information B to betransmitted through a single transmission, and the size o¹ f of theinformation C to be transmitted through a single transmission arereduced within the conditions in the foregoing equations (10), (11), and(12), respectively, or in which the counter period A, the counter periodB, and the counter period C are prolonged, so that the transmission sizefor a single transmission can not only be reduced but also be adjustednot to exceed the foregoing communication band. As described above, theoutput period of the transmission timer 108 and the communication speedof the transmission circuit 107 can be set while considering the size,the period, and the margin degree of the transmission.

In the foregoing electronic control apparatus according to Embodiment 1,three information items, i.e., the information A, the information B, andthe information C are utilized; however, the number of information itemsis not limited to three, and the system may have two or more informationitems.

Each of the information A 102, the information B 103, and theinformation C 104 maybe either a sensor detection value to be inputtedfrom a sensor or the like (unillustrated) provided, for example, outsideor inside the electronic control apparatus 300 or a calculation resultcalculated in the electronic control apparatus 300.

Furthermore, the information output apparatus 100 can determine theupdate timing of each of the information A 102, the information B 103,and the information C 104 and can determine selection and division oftransmission data to be multiplexed along a transmission interval.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram representing an example of a hardwareconfiguration of the electronic control apparatus according toEmbodiment 1. As represented in FIG. 8, the electronic control apparatus300 includes a processor 1000 and a storage device 2000. Although notillustrated, the storage device has a volatile storage device such as arandom access memory and a nonvolatile auxiliary storage device such asa flash memory. Instead of the flash memory, an auxiliary storage deviceformed of a hard disk may be provided. The processor 1000 implements aprogram inputted from the storage device 2000. In this case, the programis inputted from the auxiliary storage device to the processor 1000 byway of the volatile storage device. It may be allowed that the processor1000 outputs data such as a calculation result either to the volatilestorage device in the storage device 2000 or to the auxiliary storagedevice by way of the volatile storage device.

The present disclosure is not limited to the electronic controlapparatus according to foregoing Embodiment 1; Embodiment 1 canappropriately be modified or omitted.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present disclosure can be applied to the field of an electroniccontrol apparatus provided with an information output apparatus thatoutputs communication data having information and a control apparatusthat controls a control subject, based on the information outputted fromthe information output apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

100: information output apparatus

101: control apparatus

102: information A

103: information B

104: information C

105: transmission counter

106: information multiplex apparatus

107: transmission circuit

108: transmission timer

109: reception circuit

110: information division apparatus

111: information A processing apparatus

112: information B processing apparatus

113: information C processing apparatus

115: first transmission interval information

116: second transmission interval information

117: information A buffer

118: information B buffer

119: information C buffer

120: information A transmission data

121: information B transmission data

122: information C transmission data

124: information A reception data

125: information B reception data

126: information C reception data

128: received transmission counter

200: transmission data

210: reception data

300: electronic control apparatus

1000: processor

2000: storage device

1. An electronic control apparatus comprising: two or more informationitems to be updated at respective predetermined timings; an informationmultiplex apparatus that multiplexes the two or more information items;a transmission circuit that periodically transmits multiplexedtransmission data outputted by the information multiplex apparatus; anda transmission counter that counts the number of transmissionstransmitted by the transmission circuit, wherein based on a count valueheld by the transmission counter, the information multiplex apparatusforms the multiplexed transmission data by selecting or dividing atleast part of each of the two or more information items, based onrespective sizes of the two or more information items, a counter periodof the transmission counter, and a transmission margin degree, whereinthe electronic control apparatus further comprising: a reception circuitthat receives the multiplexed transmission data transmitted by thetransmission circuit; an information division apparatus that dividesreception data received by the reception circuit; two or moreinformation buffers in which the divided reception data items arestored; and two or more information processing apparatuses that obtainthe two or more information buffers in two or more different periods,wherein the information multiplex apparatus multiplexes the two or moreinformation items in such a way that each of all reception data itemsstored in the two or more information buffers is updated in an intervalshorter than a period in which the two or more information processingapparatuses obtain the respective stored reception data items from thetwo or more information buffers, and wherein when the informationdivision apparatus receives an error detection information, theinformation multiplex apparatus holds reception data stored in theinformation buffer.
 2. The electronic control apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the information multiplex apparatus adds the countvalue of the transmission counter to the transmission data.
 3. Theelectronic control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein respectivepriority degrees are provided to the two or more information items, anda frequency of transmitting data having a priority degree higher thanthat of another information is made larger than a frequency oftransmitting said another information.
 4. The electronic controlapparatus according to claim 3, wherein the priority degree is includedin the count value of the transmission counter.
 5. The electroniccontrol apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the informationmultiplex apparatus adds error detection information to each of thetransmission data items.
 6. The electronic control apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein a whole size of the transmission data outputted bythe information multiplex apparatus is constant.
 7. An electroniccontrol apparatus comprising: two or more information items to beupdated at respective predetermined timings; an information multiplexapparatus that multiplexes the two or more information items; atransmission circuit that periodically transmits multiplexedtransmission data outputted by the information multiplex apparatus; anda transmission counter that counts the number of transmissionstransmitted by the transmission circuit, wherein based on a count valueheld by the transmission counter, the information multiplex apparatusforms the multiplexed transmission data by selecting or dividing atleast part of each of the two or more information items, based onrespective sizes of the two or more information items, a counter periodof the transmission counter, and a transmission margin degree, whereinthe electronic control apparatus further comprising: a reception circuitthat receives the multiplexed transmission data transmitted by thetransmission circuit; an information division apparatus that dividesreception data received by the reception circuit; two or moreinformation buffers in which the divided reception data items arestored; and two or more information processing apparatuses that obtainthe two or more information buffers in two or more different periods,wherein the information multiplex apparatus multiplexes the two or moreinformation items in such a way that each of all reception data itemsstored in the two or more information buffers is updated in an intervalshorter than a period in which the two or more information processingapparatuses obtain the respective stored reception data items from thetwo or more information buffers.
 8. The electronic control apparatusaccording to claim 7, wherein when dividing data received by thereception circuit, the information division apparatus utilizes the countvalue of the transmission counter.
 9. The electronic control apparatusaccording to claim 2, further comprising: a reception circuit thatreceives the multiplexed transmission data transmitted by thetransmission circuit; an information division apparatus that dividesreception data received by the reception circuit; two or moreinformation buffers in which the divided reception data items arestored; and two or more information processing apparatuses that obtainthe two or more information buffers in two or more different periods,wherein the information multiplex apparatus multiplexes the two or moreinformation items in such a way that each of all reception data itemsstored in the two or more information buffers is updated in an intervalshorter than a period in which the two or more information processingapparatuses obtain the respective stored reception data items from thetwo or more information buffers.
 10. The electronic control apparatusaccording to claim 3, further comprising: a reception circuit thatreceives the multiplexed transmission data transmitted by thetransmission circuit; an information division apparatus that dividesreception data received by the reception circuit; two or moreinformation buffers in which the divided reception data items arestored; and two or more information processing apparatuses that obtainthe two or more information buffers in two or more different periods,wherein the information multiplex apparatus multiplexes the two or moreinformation items in such a way that each of all reception data itemsstored in the two or more information buffers is updated in an intervalshorter than a period in which the two or more information processingapparatuses obtain the respective stored reception data items from thetwo or more information buffers.
 11. The electronic control apparatusaccording to claim 4, further comprising: a reception circuit thatreceives the multiplexed transmission data transmitted by thetransmission circuit; an information division apparatus that dividesreception data received by the reception circuit; two or moreinformation buffers in which the divided reception data items arestored; and two or more information processing apparatuses that obtainthe two or more information buffers in two or more different periods,wherein the information multiplex apparatus multiplexes the two or moreinformation items in such a way that each of all reception data itemsstored in the two or more information buffers is updated in an intervalshorter than a period in which the two or more information processingapparatuses obtain the respective stored reception data items from thetwo or more information buffers.
 12. The electronic control apparatusaccording to claim 5, further comprising: a reception circuit thatreceives the multiplexed transmission data transmitted by thetransmission circuit; an information division apparatus that dividesreception data received by the reception circuit; two or moreinformation buffers in which the divided reception data items arestored; and two or more information processing apparatuses that obtainthe two or more information buffers in two or more different periods,wherein the information multiplex apparatus multiplexes the two or moreinformation items in such a way that each of all reception data itemsstored in the two or more information buffers is updated in an intervalshorter than a period in which the two or more information processingapparatuses obtain the respective stored reception data items from thetwo or more information buffers.
 13. The electronic control apparatusaccording to claim 6, further comprising: a reception circuit thatreceives the multiplexed transmission data transmitted by thetransmission circuit; an information division apparatus that dividesreception data received by the reception circuit; two or moreinformation buffers in which the divided reception data items arestored; and two or more information processing apparatuses that obtainthe two or more information buffers in two or more different periods,wherein the information multiplex apparatus multiplexes the two or moreinformation items in such a way that each of all reception data itemsstored in the two or more information buffers is updated in an intervalshorter than a period in which the two or more information processingapparatuses obtain the respective stored reception data items from thetwo or more information buffers.
 14. The electronic control apparatusaccording to claim 9, wherein when dividing data received by thereception circuit, the information division apparatus utilizes the countvalue of the transmission counter.
 15. The electronic control apparatusaccording to claim 10, wherein when dividing data received by thereception circuit, the information division apparatus utilizes the countvalue of the transmission counter.
 16. The electronic control apparatusaccording to claim 11, wherein when dividing data received by thereception circuit, the information division apparatus utilizes the countvalue of the transmission counter.
 17. The electronic control apparatusaccording to claim 12, wherein when dividing data received by thereception circuit, the information division apparatus utilizes the countvalue of the transmission counter.
 18. The electronic control apparatusaccording to claim 13, wherein when dividing data received by thereception circuit, the information division apparatus utilizes the countvalue of the transmission counter.